A Donkey’s View – Parshas Balak 5770
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Loading ...ותרא האתון את מלאך ה’… (כב:כג).
“The donkey saw the Angel of Hashem…” (22:23).
Much time is allotted in the Torah to the story of Bilaam’s disgrace through the actions and words of his donkey…. What is the lesson here?
The Gemara (Sanhedrin 98a) tells us that Mashiach will arrive riding on a donkey. Why this specific animal? When Avraham took Yitzchok to the Akaida, they rode on a donkey and when Moshe came to Egypt to speak to Pharaoh he also utilized a donkey. What is the significance?
I believe that the first place to begin is Perek Shirah. The song of the donkey is none other than a most classical and Kabbalistically well known verse (Divrey HaYamim I 29:11). “To Hashem is Greatness, Strength, Splendor, Victory, Beauty, all that is in the heavens and earth, to Hashem is the Kingdom”. This verse hints to the recognition of the seven sefiros, traits of Heavenly action, beginning with Chessed and culminating with Kingship. Why does the donkey sing such an exalted song?
What is more perplexing (and in truth will be the answer to this quandary, upon proper understanding,) is the Maharal’s explanation of the word “חמור, donkey”. Maharal states that the most physical of all animals is the donkey and its name connotes this, “חומר, physicality” (thus it is a supreme insult to be called a ‘donkey’).
This is the exact reason that the donkey is the mode of transportation for all of these people. Ramchal explains that the ultimate Kiddush Shem Shamayim comes when there is darkness and from the darkness emerges the recognition that Hashem is in truth in total control and is guiding every aspect of life. Hence, the darker the evil appears, the more of an amazing revelation comes out upon resolution. So too, if even the most physical and lowly of all animals is able to be sanctified and recognize Hashem, this is the ultimate revelation and appointment of Hashem as King.
This is why Chazal tell us that Avraham, Moshe and Mashiach all rode (and will ride, in the case of Mashiach) the exact same donkey. This represents purification of the physical. The donkey sings about the Kingship of Hashem, for that is the ultimate goal, that even the donkey recognizes and sings that only Hashem is in charge.
This is the exact theme of Parshas Balak. The one who wanted to curse Klal Yisrael and deny Hashem’s power became the one who praised the Jews and admitted clearly that only Hashem is in control of the world. Just as Bilaam’s own donkey became the conduit for expressing Kavod Shamayim with clarity, so too, Bilaam himself, in his lowly state, acknowledged Hashem’s greatness.
May we merit to see all of the darkness of Galus swiftly turned around into light.
